The Lagos State Government has launched the HaemoCentral Blood Inventory Management System (BIMS), alongside an official website for the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC).
The dual unveiling was held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the Providence by Mantis Hotel in Ikeja GRA.
According to a statement issued by the Lagos State Ministry of Health on its Facebook page, the HaemoCentral is designed to streamline blood donation, screening, inventory, and transfusion processes across public and private health facilities in Lagos.
“It ensures real-time tracking, equitable allocation, and improved access to safe blood, in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda and the Lagos State Development Plan 2052,” the statement read.
A Digital Lifeline for Lagos’ Blood Supply
HaemoCentral’s features include barcode-enabled traceability, role-based secure data access, quality audits, haemovigilance protocols, and donor appointment booking systems.
Experts believe the platform will not only modernise transfusion workflows but also enable real-time data exchange that supports life-saving clinical decisions and strengthens regulatory oversight.
The move signals a shift from manual systems to a tech-powered infrastructure aimed at eliminating unsafe transfusion practices, reducing delays at the state’s healthcare institutions.
Built to Save Lives
Delivering the keynote address at the launch, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, described the system as a “long overdue”.
She pointed to a tragic case during her time at the Health Service Commission where the lack of proper transfusion protocol led to a preventable death.
“I remember back at the Health Service Commission, we had a case of death linked to a transfusion. We realized then that there was no proper protocol. This system is going to change that,” she noted.
She noted that the HaemoCentral system digitizes the entire blood value chain, from donor registration, screening, and cross-matching to inventory control.
“We are not just building systems. We are building trust. We are saving lives,” she said.
Policy-Driven Innovation Meets Data Privacy
Dr. Ogunyemi also launched the LSBTC’s new website, describing it as a critical platform for public engagement, donor education, and professional collaboration.
She urged civic organisations, youth groups, healthcare professionals, and the general public to embrace voluntary blood donation.
“Voluntary blood donation is not just a civic responsibility, it is a lifeline,” she remarked.
How the Blood Inventory System Impacts Lagosians
According to health experts, the HaemoCentral Blood Inventory Management System will drastically reduce delays in emergency response, especially during childbirth complications, accidents, or surgical procedures.
By digitising the entire supply chain, HaemoCentral improves the safety of blood transfusions, addressing long-standing challenges linked to manual record-keeping and limited data access.
Experts also view this as a major step toward achieving universal health coverage and reducing avoidable deaths related to poor transfusion practices.
